Williams co-owner Patrick Head said Nico Hulkenberg produced something "pretty special" to take pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Hulkenberg qualified a whole second faster than anyone else and will line up on the grid directly ahead of the top four title contenders.

He is currently in negotiations to keep his seat at Williams for another season, with Pastor Maldonado waiting in the wings with significant sponsorship money to secure a place. Head, who recently admitted money would play a part in the team's decision next year, said Hulkenberg had impressed at Interlagos.

"That was a fantastic qualifying for the team; and for Nico and his engineers in particular," he said. "I think we saw something pretty special from him today. He did three timed laps on dry tyres, with his pole time over a second quicker than anyone else's."

Williams team-mate Rubens Barrichello, who is also at risk of losing his seat at the team, admitted he was impressed by Hulkenberg's performance.

"I am truly happy for the team; it's been a wonderful afternoon for us," he said. "We have a pole position, just not with me! I am thrilled for Nico though. In these conditions, you need to keep temperatures up in the tyres, but I had a car in front of me going a bit slow so I lost temperature and went off. I'm pleased with P6, it's still a strong place to start the race from."